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BMW Motorrad wins in four of seven categories and celebrates a total of ten awards in the “Motorcycle of the Year 2015″ Readers’ Choice Award by the German magazine MOTORRAD. A total of 48,118 readers took part in the voting — well over half a million of readers have taken part in this vote since 1999.The award […]

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 14.5 percent in February for a total of 25,201 compared to 22,017 vehicles sold in February, 2014.
“In spite of ferocious cold and mountains of snow in so much of the country in February, our customers proved they could overcome and made it possible for BMW to post a new record for February sales,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “Improved availability of the always popular X5 and the strong and growing interest in our 2 and 4 Series cars are good indicators of what’s ahead.”

One of the headlining BMW models at the 2015 Geneva auto show which just kicked off is the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, making its public debut.
The 2-series Gran Tourer [Official Thread] is a derivative of the Active Tourer and features both a taller and longer body. It also comes with third-row seating.
On display are the 220i M Sport and 220d xDrive models. Have a look from the show!

BMW’s second minivan makes its first public appearance today at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is the first car from Munich with a true seven-seater cabin and will go on sale in Europe this month.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer dominates his little brother by 21 cm while being also 5 cm higher. It features a steeper rear window which creates a higher roofline for additional space, and the larger rear doors which facilitate entry into the second and third row.
The exterior dimensions are: 4,556 x 1,800 x 1,608 mm (179.3 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 63.3 inches tall). The majority of the added length is concentrated within the wheelbase, which has grown by 110mm to 2780m. BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer offers ample space and a generous luggage compartment that can be extended in capacity from 645 to 805 liters (67.3 cubic feet).

On the back seat of the Gran Tourer, up to three child seats can be attached side-by-side, and the middle seat can be positioned in the opposite direction of travel. When the kids are a bit older, they can take a seat in the third row of seats.

The series Gran Tourer shares its exterior styling with the Active Tourer through to the trailing edges of its front door. Its silhouette differs dramatically from traditional rear-wheel drive BMW models, with a short bonnet and heavily angled windscreen.
Inside, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer uses the same dashboard and buttons as the ActiveTourer – alongside which it will be produced at BMW’s factory in Leipzig, Germany.

The F46 Gran Tourer will be powered by three- and four-cylinder engines. Gasoline engines are found in the 218i (3-cylinder, 134 hp) and the 220i (4-cylinder, 189 hp). Diesel fans can choose between the 114 hp 216d (3-cylinder), the 148 hp 218d (4-cylinder), and the 220d xDrive (4-cylinder, 187 hp). The engines are matted to a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic.

BMW will only offer the xDrive in the 220d model.
Prices start at 28,650 euros.

BMW pits their self-driving 2 Series Coupe against Formula Drift Champion Dai Yoshihara.
Back in 2014, BMW has shown a version of its forthcoming M235i coupe at the 2014 CES show which is capable of drifting with no input from the driver. The research prototype demonstrates what BMW says is an essential component of autonomous driving – the ability to safely master extreme driving situations.
The 2 Series Coupe self-driving/drifting machine features the ActiveAssist system which actively intervene in the direction-changing decision-making process and ensure the electronically controlled steering works in perfect harmony with the brakes and accelerator.
Now the prototype is put head-to-head with Yoshihara who was tasked with doing perfect drifting circles around a skidpad.
Who does it better? Let’s find out.
The article Watch a self-drifting BMW vs. a drift champion appeared first on BMW BLOG

The world premiere of the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car takes place this week at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The matte black M4, adorned with M colors and safety car features, is one of the main attractions at the BMW exhibit.
The BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car is BMW M Division’s first model featuring water injection. Water injection is a system designed to increase the performance and reduce the consumption of combustion engines.
The new water injection allows for outstanding driving properties and impressive performance parameters on the race track.

The water injection allows for more efficient charge air cooling and sensitive components can be operated with a higher boost pressure. Up to 8 percent more power can be achieved. One day, the same technology could be used in the BMW M4 GTS.

Other interesting details are the large carbon-fiber rear wing and the carbon front splitter, which are also conceivable for a sharper version of the street legal. BMW M4 . The M4 MotoGP SafetyCar comes with a stripped-down interior with two Recaro racing seats, a roll bar and the obligatory motorsport fire extinguisher.
An LED light bar sits on the roof. The car also feature a main circuit breaker and a system for the easy draining of the fuel.
For stopping power, the M4 MotoGP Safety Car uses ceramic brakes.

The M4 MotoGP Safety Car will go on the grid this year during the MotoGP Bike Championship.

Bold athletic flair and supreme versatility define the character of the MINI Countryman. As the first MINI with four doors, a large tailgate, five seats and optional all-wheel drive, it took on the role of an irresistible front-line force from the very outset – both in the conquest of additional target groups for the British premium brand and in the area of off-road driving.
Its irrepressible forward thrust and flexibility are now expressed even more strikingly in an exclusive edition model. The MINI Countryman Park Lane sees its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2015. It will be available worldwide in up to four engine variants from July 2015.

The MINI Countryman has enabled the brand to establish a secure standing in the premium compact segment. Unmistakable design, premium quality, an interior concept of exemplary versatility and typical MINI driving fun both on and off the road go together to create an overall package that is unique in this category of vehicle, meeting the multi-faceted mobility needs of demanding target groups in urban traffic and beyond. In this way the MINI Countryman has successfully asserted itself as an all-round talent with individual style. For the first time, this special status within the competitive environment is now underscored with an edition model. A distinct design and color concept as well as high-end equipment features make the MINI Countryman Park Lane an authentic ambassador for versatile driving fun in the compact segment.

The MINI Countryman Park Lane indicates its high-end individual flair at first sight with a specially developed design and colour concept. The body finish in Earl Grey metallic is combined with the entirely new color variant Oak Red for the roof and exterior mirror caps, supplemented with optional sport stripes in the same color for the bonnet, tailgate and lower side sections. The characteristic side turn indicator surrounds in chrome known as side scuttles also comprise an inlay in Oak Red. The MINI Countryman Park Lane boldly accentuates its classic athletic character with 18-inch light alloy wheels in Turbo Fan Dark Grey design and the MINI ALL4 Exterior visual package including silver body elements for the front and rear apron as well as the side sills.

Exclusive emblems on the side scuttles and the cockpit surface bear the inscription “Park Lane”, as do the entry sills. The interior surfaces in Oxide Silver for the door bezel and cockpit trim and Cross Stripe Grey for the side surrounds of the center console were also designed exclusively for the MINI Countryman Park Lane. These go together with the inlay color Carbon Black for the door trim and center console to create a sports-style premium ambiance in the interior.

The edition model can also be combined with a particularly high-end equipment package. As the MINI Countryman Park Lane Chili, the all-rounder additionally comprises features such as LED fog lamps and white direction indicators. The Chrome Line Exterior is available as an optional extra at no additional charge. What is more, the models MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4, MINI Cooper SD Countryman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman ALL4 are fitted with xenon lights. The interior fittings are supplemented with sports seats in the fabric/leather finish Parallel Lines Light Tobacco, automatic air conditioning, an on-board computer, a rain sensor with automatic driving light control, the Sport Button, a sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons, velour floor mats and a storage and lighting package.

Located in the London borough of Mayfair, Park Lane is one of the most distinguished addresses in the British capital. MINI itself has a prestigious showroom there. It is the third time that Park Lane has lent its name to an exclusive edition model of the brand. A version of the classic Mini with particularly high-end fittings bore the designation in 1987, while another MINI Park Lane came out in 2005, following in the footsteps of its predecessor after the brand’s relaunch. Now the tradition of naming design and edition models made by the British premium automobile manufacturer after London streets and districts is applied to the MINI Countryman for the first time.
The precisely coordinated exterior and interior features of the MINI Countryman Park Lane underscore both the versatile functionality and the exclusive charisma of the premium compact model. With its high-end features and versatile customization options, this all-round talent offers five seats, including a rear seat that can be shifted longitudinally and has a folding backrest with a 40 : 20 : 40 split. As a result the luggage volume can be expanded from 350 to up to 1 170 litres as required, allowing the MINI Countryman not just to tackle the challenges of everyday urban traffic but also transport bulky sports equipment or carry everything required for a family holiday.

Powerful, efficient engines and high-quality suspension technology ensure that the hallmark brand agility known as the go-kart feeling is brought to life in the compact segment, too – further enhanced by an additional facet with the permanent all-wheel drive system ALL4 that was developed especially for MINI. What is more the car’s raised seating position offers a supreme view of the road, giving the characteristic MINI drive feel a whole new dimension. For the MINI Countryman (combined fuel consumption:
7.3 – 4.2 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 169 – 111 g/km) there are three petrol and three diesel engines available, covering an output range of 66 kW/90 hp to 140 kW/190 hp. Four power units can be optionally combined with ALL4. Over and above this, the 160 kW/218 hp MINI John Cooper Works Countryman provides extreme driving fun: here the engine power is transmitted to all four wheels as standard.
The MINI Countryman Park Lane is offered in up to eight model variants, depending on the market. The edition model is available both with the characteristic MINI front-wheel drive as well as the all-wheel drive system ALL4. 4-cylinder petrol engines with 90 kW/122 hp or 140 kW/190 hp power the models MINI Cooper Countryman and MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 as well as the MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4. 4-cylinder diesel engines deliver 82 kW/112 hp in the MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4, and 105 kW/143 hp in the MINI Cooper SD Countryman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman ALL4.

The top model of the 1 Series family, the M135i, comes to the 2015 Geneva Motor Show to highlight its design changes.
Painted in the Valencia Orange color, the BMW M135i comes with a special M aerodynamic package, which can be identified by features including extremely large outer air intakes in the front apron. These occupy the space normally reserved for foglamps on all other new BMW 1 Series models. A new chrome trim is now part of the air intake giving the car a more rough and sporty look.
The exterior mirror caps are in the typical BMW M Performance Automobile paint finish Ferric Grey. The rear apron of the BMW M135i comes with a distinctively styled diffuser in a Dark Shadow metallic paint finish and surrounds for the exhaust system’s twin tailpipes.

Sporting black chrome tailpipe embellishers and delivering a resonant soundtrack, the exhaust system of the BMW M135i hints both visually and acoustically at the power developed by the six-cylinder in-line engine under the bonnet.
The car now delivers 326 hp, up 6 horsepower from the previous model, and 450 Nm of torque between 1300-4500 rpm. The average fuel consumption is 8.0 liter/100 km.

The rear-wheel drive variant accelerates in 5.1 seconds with manual transmission from 0 to 100 km / h and with the eight-speed Sports automatic, the same exercise is done two tenths of a second faster.
The 2015 BMW M135i xDrive all-wheel drive requires 4.7 seconds for the standard sprint.

The prices for the BMW M135i facelift start at 41,900 euros for the manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, the five-door costs 750 euros more. The BMW M135i xDrive is available only in combination with eight-speed automatic and will cost at least 46,050 euros.